Like many Spectrum cable TV subscribers, I was excited when Spectrum released their TV app. It promised easy access to live TV, On Demand shows and movies right on my mobile devices or streaming players. As a long-time Amazon Firestick user, I naturally wanted to add the Spectrum TV app to my device. Unfortunately, even after searching the Firestick app store and Google, I couldn’t find any way to install the Spectrum TV app on my Firestick.
I know I’m not the only one facing this issue. Many other Spectrum customers seem to be in the same boat, unable to add the Spectrum TV app to their Firestick. It’s frustrating when you pay for a service but can’t access it on your preferred streaming device. But don’t lose hope just yet – there are a few workarounds and options that can help you get the Spectrum TV app working on your Amazon Firestick.
Reasons for the Spectrum TV App’s Unavailability on Firestick
Before we get into the solutions, let’s first understand why the Spectrum TV app is unavailable on Firestick in the first place. After researching online, it appears there are a few contributing factors:
- There is an ongoing dispute between Amazon and Spectrum over distribution agreements. This has prevented the Spectrum TV app from being published on Amazon’s Fire TV devices.
- Spectrum has actively blocked the standalone Firestick app to prevent unauthorized streaming of their content.
- The Spectrum TV app is incompatible with the older generation Firestick devices (Gen 1 and Gen 2).
This unfortunate restriction has caused a lot of headaches for Spectrum’s cable TV subscribers who own Firesticks. It limits how you can stream the content you’re already paying for. But with a little effort, you can get around this limitation.
Easiest Option: Screen Mirroring from Your Phone
The simplest workaround I’ve found so far to watch Spectrum TV on my Firestick is to mirror my phone’s screen to the Firestick. Most modern smartphones support the ability to wirelessly cast your screen directly to a smart TV or streaming device. Here are the steps to get it working:
- Make sure both your phone and the Firestick are connected to the same wireless network.
- Open the Spectrum TV app on your iOS or Android phone and select a live TV channel or on-demand program to watch.
- Access the control center on an iPhone or notification shade on an Android device and tap the “Screen Mirroring” button. On Samsung phones, this may be labeled “Smart View”.
- Select your Firestick from the list of available casting devices.
- The Spectrum TV app should now be mirrored from your phone to your TV. You can then use the phone to control playback as usual.
While not as seamless as a natively installed app, screen mirroring avoids any complicated setup and lets you access the full Spectrum TV experience on Firestick. Just be warned that quality may downgrade since everything is streaming wirelessly from your phone.
Bonus Tip: Check for a Firestick Update
This is a quick extra troubleshooting step worth trying. There’s a small chance that Amazon and Spectrum’s disagreements have been resolved, allowing the app to be installed on Firestick. To check:
- Go to “Settings” > “My Fire TV” > “About” on your Firestick.
- Select “Check for Updates” and install any available firmware updates.
While unlikely, updating your Firestick could suddenly make the Spectrum TV app available. It doesn’t hurt to check, just in case.
A Simple Workaround: Use the Silk Browser
Here’s another easy way to access Spectrum’s TV service on your Firestick – use the built-in Silk browser to visit Spectrum’s website. The online version at watch.spectrum.net allows you to stream content without installing any additional apps with these steps:
- Open the “Silk” web browser on your Firestick.
- Navigate to https://watch.spectrum.net
- Login with your Spectrum account credentials.
- You’ll now have direct access to Spectrum’s live TV channels, On Demand library and more.
While not as polished, the Spectrum TV website provides a quick way to unblock access on a Firestick without tricky workarounds. Just bookmark the site for easy access.
Advanced Option: Sideload the App + Use a VPN
For those willing to get more technical, you can manually install the Spectrum TV app on Firestick using sideloading. This involves downloading the app file (APK) and installing it directly rather than through an app store. Here are the steps involved:
- Install a trustworthy VPN like ExpressVPN on your Firestick using the Amazon Appstore or by sideloading. The VPN will help you bypass geographical restrictions.
- Download the Spectrum TV APK file from a reliable third-party site like APKMirror.
- Install the Downloader app on your Firestick to manage sideloading.
- Use Downloader to install the Spectrum TV APK you downloaded earlier.
This sideloading method lets you manually install apps not available on the Amazon Appstore. However caution is advised, as sideloading apps from unknown sources poses security risks. Stick to reputable sites and use a VPN for privacy.
Why Use the Spectrum App on Firestick?
Despite the extra effort required, I think it’s worth the hassle of getting the Spectrum TV app on your Firestick. Here are some of the benefits you’ll enjoy:
- Stream live TV channels and Spectrum On Demand without changing inputs or devices.
- Intuitive browsing and watching experience on your TV and Firestick.
- Rewind and replay live TV up to 72 hours in the past.
- Download DVR recordings to watch offline.
- Stream on up to 3 devices simultaneously.
If you ultimately can’t get the Spectrum app working, another option is switching to a more compatible streaming device like Roku, which officially supports the Spectrum TV app.
Don’t Give Up on Streaming Spectrum TV
While the Spectrum TV app’s lack of Firestick support is an inconvenience, I hope these workarounds provide solutions to make it work for you. Screen mirroring from your mobile device is probably the simplest method with minimal hassle. Checking for Firestick updates or using the Spectrum web browser also bypass the need for complicated installs.
Or if you don’t mind getting more technical, manually sideloading the Spectrum APK while using a VPN will do the trick too. Just be sure to source the app file from a reputable site for security. With a little effort, you can unlock the full experience of the Spectrum TV app from the comfort of your Firestick.
It may seem silly that we have to jump through hoops to stream content we already pay for through Spectrum. But a workaround is better than no access at all. I hope these tips help fellow Spectrum subscribers enjoy cable TV on Firestick until an official app launches. Just don’t give up until you can stream to your heart’s content!
